As we have shown elsewhere, Mr. Balfour's letter marks that
going over" of Mr. Balfour to Mr. Chamberlain which we have always declared would happen when the proper moment arrived. Balfourism was for some time kept apart from Chamberlainism for tactical reasons. Now, like two chemical affinities, the two substances are joined and merged. Yet, incredible as it sounds id view of Mr. Balfour's "valentine," there are signs that a certain section of Unionist Free-traders are still unconvinced that Mr. Balfour and Mr. Chamberlain have come to an agreement, and they still, like the lover in Landor's poem, look to Mr. Balfour to say something to them which will enable them to believe that be is still on their side, and 'sincerely opposed to all forms of Chamberlainism You smiled, you spoke, and I believed, By every word and smile deceived. Another man would hope no more, Nor hope I, what I hoped before. But let not this last wish be vain, Deceive, deceive me, once again."
